THE BABY PLAN

Three pregnant LA women mingle in this debut adult novel from an Emmy-winning TV writer and co-author of The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet (2014), etc.

Nathalie, a 33-year-old English teacher, is the de facto protagonist of this novel. At least, she’s the only one with a planned pregnancy, following years of trying and an early-stage but traumatic pregnancy loss. So it galls her that her 24-year-old half sister, Lyndi, who only just got a real job, is pregnant, too, by her newish roommate (but maybe also boyfriend). Nathalie’s own mother died when she was young, but her stepmom—Lyndi’s biological mom—goes gaga over the girls in ways seemingly designed to make Nathalie feel aggravated and isolated. Lyndi experiences uncertainty, growing a baby as well as a career, and for the first time can’t connect with her sister about it. Meanwhile, Nathalie finds comfort in Sophia, a TV makeup artist and mother to 17-year-old Maisey, Nathalie’s student, whom Sophia had when she herself was 19. Now, Sophia is pregnant again by her rock star boyfriend, who is initially thrilled by the news and subsequently absent. The three women are buffeted by the wilds of pregnancy, both physical and emotional, described with arch humor and a loving attention to detail seldom found in fictional depictions. They are also experiencing the disappointing shifts in relationships with their peers and partners, told with a realism that is less funny but culturally astute. Throughout, readers get the thrill of living four distinct but compelling lives, as Maisey gets her own wonderful subplot. Sophia’s career provides a juicy touch of LA drama, but the real story is the astonishing experience of growing a new person.

Top-notch women’s fiction.